Super-sub hits a hat-trick in dramatic cup comeback

PLAYER-MANAGER Declan Taylor dug Crouch End Rangers “out of a hole” at the weekend when he emerged from the bench to score a hat-trick – and with it secure his side a place in the quarter-finals of the sought-after Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup.

With 10 minutes left on the clock the game looked dead and buried with league newcomers Hackney Wednesday coasting 2-0 thanks to well-taken goals from Ross Gallacher and Joseph Benjamin.

Super-sub Taylor used his head in more ways than one to turn the tie around. His arrival heralded a more attacking formation, and it paid off almost instantly as he nodded home Jon Taylor’s cross to reduce the deficit. Minutes later the towering striker was celebrating again after getting his head on the end of Jonathan Douglas’s cross to send the game into extra-time.

Taylor completed his hat-trick just minutes into the additional half-hour with another good finish, securing a 3-2 victory and ensuring that last year’s beaten finalists can continue their dream of going one better this time around.

Reflecting on his match-winning performance, Taylor revealed how he took advantage of the Camden Sunday League’s new rotating subs rule to become the hero.

“I got an ankle injury quite early on so came off midway through the second half,” he said. “But when it went 2-0 I thought we might as well give it a go by putting another striker on and taking off a defender, so I came back on. It paid off, and it was nice to win a game 3-2 after losing by that scoreline three times already this season.”

Meanwhile, Clerkenwell Old Boys showcased their firepower as they had five different scorers in their win over Philippine FC. Harry Sanger, Daniel Attard, Dean Francis, Albert Cruise and Denzel Attoh all found the back of the net as the Old Boys ran out 5-1 winners.

On an entertaining cup weekend, Enate United, Auld Shillelagh, The Hurricanes and Surreal Madrid also all booked their place in the last eight of the competition.